- Round 4 kicks off in Wales this weekend
- Entrants continue their training for international rally‑raids
- First hill rally of the championship will further the experience of all drivers and co‑drivers
- Nine‑strong field faces the toughest test yet
Whitley, UK 17 July 2014 ‑ Drivers competing in the 2014 'Defender Challenge by Bowler' race series face a rough ride and a new set of challenges when they arrive in Wales to tackle Round 4 this weekend.
The one‑make rally championship heads to Walters Arena, on the southern edge of the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, for a gruelling two‑day event. Officially called the Welsh Hill Rally, it will push competitors and the legendary Land Rover Defender to the limit.
Jon Chester, Brand Director at Bowler, commented: "It's going to be tough for everyone. Walters Arena and the surrounding area has got everything from fast forest track to old quarries, steep inclines to ruts, jumps and bogs."
Being the world's most capable all‑terrain vehicles, Land Rover models are no strangers to harsh terrain. This section of Wales is particularly familiar as development work for the brand's vehicles is carried out in the area.
Jon added: "It's going to introduce new experiences to the drivers and that's why it's an important part of the series. It's nearly 100 miles of extreme off‑roading with no Tarmac stages. It's will be physically demanding and there's no chance to relax. The entrants will have to learn to read the terrain and drive in a way that's sympathetic to their vehicle."
The Race2Recovery entry, sponsored by Land Rover, will make its third appearance with Ben Gott, Team Principal at the wheel and Stéphanie Bourdais continuing her training as navigator. The team is continuing to train and recruit new team members for future international rally‑raids.
The 'Defender Challenge by Bowler' series is in its inaugural year. The seven‑race season began in March and is designed to act as a feeder series to the annual Dakar Rally, as well as other global rally‑raid competitions. This weekend nine vehicles are scheduled to race, part of a 35‑strong field of different classes.
The Defender Challenge car is a Bowler‑modified Defender 90 Hard Top. Under the bonnet is a standard 2.2‑litre diesel engine ‑ though up‑rated to 170bhp and 450Nm by Bowler Motorsport ‑ mated to a six‑speed manual transmission. The vehicle is completely road‑legal but fitted with an MSA‑approved roll cage and fire extinguisher system.
Additional spec includes a bespoke Bowler Motorsport suspension system including new dampers, springs, roll bars and bushes; Bowler Motorsport bodykit and lightweight 18‑inch wheels; and two racing seats each with a six‑point harness. Each car costs £50,000+VAT.
After this weekend, three rounds of the challenge remain. Competitors will meet further off‑road challenges in Shropshire and Dorset, before the season finale in Dumfries in mid‑November. Entrants will also have the option of competing in further rallies in Europe and North Africa alongside the Bowler Works team.
To find out more on the Defender Challenge by Bowler visit www.bowlermotorsport.com.
Ends
Contacts
LAND ROVER PR CONTACT: Kim Palmer kpalmer@landrover.com 07795 666 169
PR CONTACT: Jim Williams, Fast Track jim.williams@fasttrackagency.com 07814 068349
NOTES TO EDITORS
Defender Challenge by Bowler race schedule:
| 2 March | Mid Wales Stages, Newtown, Wales |
| 12 April | Somerset Stages, Minehead, Somerset |
| 7 June | Dukeries Rally Southwell, Nottinghamshire |
| 19/20 July | Welsh Hill Rally Walters Arena, Swansea |
| 30 August | Woodpecker Stages Ludlow, Shropshire |
| 24/25 October | Rallye Sunseeker Poole, Dorset |
| 22/23 November | Borders Hill Rally Dumfries, Scotland |
About the Defender Challenge by Bowler:
The Defender Challenge by Bowler is a one‑make rally series operated by Bowler Motorsport designed to act as a feeder series to the annual Dakar rally and other global rally competitions.
Continuing the strategic partnership announced in 2012 between Land Rover and Bowler Motorsport, the Defender Challenge will see competition‑prepared Land Rover Defenders being used in a one‑make, seven‑round, rally series taking place across the UK. The series will be regulated by the MSA (Motor Sports Association) and each Defender Challenge car will be FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) compliant enabling competitors to compete internationally.
The ultimate aim of the series is to provide a route for teams to progress to top rally raid competitions such as the Dakar and the Africa Race, a pathway previously non‑existent for drivers and teams aspiring to compete in the world's toughest races. Competing in the Defender Challenge by Bowler are drivers with experience of races such as the Dakar, the Dubai Desert Challenge, and drivers for whom this will be their first stage rally. For Damien Taft, this was his first motorsport event since representing the UK in the 1994 Camel Trophy. In addition, Richard Hayward is a previous Dakar competitor and a second place finisher in the former London‑Dakar race. Other drivers, such as Steve Richards and Andrew Wicklow, were racing in their first ever stage rally event, both with the aim of developing their skills and gaining the required licence to compete in the Dakar.
All competitors drive Bowler‑prepared Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles that have been expertly modified for safety, performance and durability. The modifications to the competing Land Rover Defender 90 vehicles include a full MSA / FIA certified roll cage, fire extinguisher system, racing seats and harnesses, light‑weight Bowler wheels, a full Bowler racing suspension system with bespoke springs and heavy duty racing dampers and an engine tune to 175hp that delivers 450Nm of torque.
The Defender Challenge is a 'class' within existing rally events where total entries of all classes will be between 80 and 130 cars (including the Defender Challenge cars). These events vary in distance and duration, but all will give the team (driver, navigator, service crew) an introductory experience of national level motorsport. Completion of the series will gain the driver their National B rally licence, and attendance at some of Bowlers' overseas races will allow this to be converted into the International licence required for events such as the Dakar.
About Land Rover:
Land Rover is supporting the Defender Challenge by Bowler series. Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.
About Bowler Motorsport:
Bowler is a market leader in the production of racing and high performance all ‑terrain vehicles, and has been since 1985. The UK pioneers in Rally Raid cars, Bowler has continually competed at the highest levels and, during this time, has designed, developed and produced some of the most innovative, durable and exciting all‑terrain vehicles ever seen.
The Bowler Wildcat, Nemesis and now the EXR have all been proven in the toughest race in the world ‑ the Dakar. Each evolution of Bowler has refined the knowledge and experience gained from the previous one.
Based in Derbyshire in the UK, Bowler uses both technology and craftsmanship to deliver vehicles with style, strength, performance and an unrivalled spirit of adventure.
About Race2Recovery:
Race2Recovery is a successful off‑road racing team that provides opportunities for people who live with disabilities to participate in motorsport.
The team is the first and only motorsport team with disabled team injured members to twice enter and complete the Dakar Rally (in January 2013 and 2014). Team members achieve the extraordinary through endeavour and endurance; they are courageous and undaunted by injury, disability and challenges.
Race2Recovery is a strong and supportive team; members become a part of the R2R family and the team are supported by a loyal community of followers from around the world.
